Prenatal Massage and Deep Tissue Massage for Special Physical Conditions by Chris Lontok

Massage therapy is rooted on the concept of touch and manipulation, which means muscle dysfunctions, can be treated with the right combination of stroke and pressure. Now, more combinations for various massage techniques have come out in order to cater to more physical, mental, and even emotional needs. Another clinic from Carrollwood added that massage goes beyond our muscles—it also has access to our energies and emotions.

There are various types of massage techniques that suits specific needs. Some common techniques include Swedish massage, acupressure, sports massage, reflexology, deep tissue massage, trigger point massage, hot stone massage, prenatal/pregnancy massage, to name a few. Oriental massages like Shiatsu and Reiki have also gained greater popularity for the past years.

In order to get some idea of what some common massages would be like, a Wesley Chapel therapist describes them for us.

A deep tissue massage is a technique that targets the deeper muscle tissues of the body and is ideal for chronic pain and muscle strain. Muscles of the forearm do most of the work of moving the fingers and wrists. These small muscle groups are not designed for extended periods of contraction, so they are vulnerable to injury during repetitive work. Injury is even more likely to occur if the stronger muscles of the back, shoulder, and upper arm are impaired because of poor posture or poorly fitted office equipment, forcing the forearm and hand muscles to do more work. With overuse, forearm muscles contract too often, decreasing the blood and oxygen supply to the muscle. Lactic acid and other metabolic products build up in the muscle, causing fatigue and pain. The muscle contracts further in response to the pain. These types of pain can be treated with deep tissue massage therapy. 40 minutes to an hour of the massage can greatly relieve the muscles of lactic acid that causes the painful sensations. It will feel a bit uncomfortable as you go through the treatment, but it all but normal and should subside after a day or two of rest.

A deep tissue massage is sometimes mistaken for a sports massage but they are two very different techniques. A Tampa massage clinic explained that a sports massage is a fast paced type of treatment that is designed to enhance muscle performance, mobility, and flexibility. It is not appropriate for treating any kind of injury, but it has been observed to lessen the tendency of an injury. What a sports massage does is increase blood flow and oxygen through the bloodstream and the muscles in order to prepare it for physical activity.

A prenatal or a pregnancy massage, on the other hand, is designed to lessen or get rid of the symptoms of pregnancy like leg cramps, headaches, back pain, and mood swings. A trained massage therapist is a must for this treatment because there are certain trigger points that must be avoided during the session. A Tampa massage therapist says these points can be found on the feet and hands. A pregnancy massage is performed either with the mother lying on her side, or on her belly using a special table that can accommodate her belly.